Come and join our team

We are looking for new, dynamic and successful teachers to join our growing team.  We have a particular desire to appoint a new music teacher - who will be able to build on the music strengths already established in the school.
If you would like to find out more, please visit our website.

www.woodmansterne.lambeth.sch.uk/vacancies

Warming up for Young Voices

What a terrific experience for the children to come to the O2 to perform in an 8000 strong choir! The children gain so much confidence and are so proud to take part.

Although current empty, it will be awesome when full!

Lambeth Achievement Awards

We were delighted today to have so many of our children present at the Lambeth Achievement Awards which was held at the Queen Elizabeth Hall at the Southbank Centre.

Pupils who achieved Level 3 in Reading, Writing and Maths and our most improved child were invited to attend.
They were:

• Aliya 
• Nanette 
• Suhayb 
• Omar 
• Tom
• Ananya  
• Polly 
• Thomas
• Toma - Most Improvement

In Key Stage 2, pupils who achieved Level 5 in Reading, Writing and Maths also were invited to attend.  Our award winners were:

• Gene
• Arwa
• Berey
• Omar
• Simona - Most Improvement

Huge congratulations to the children, their families and of course the super team of staff at Woodmansterne.

Parent and Carers Guide to the Internet

New Chair of PTFA (and treasurer) needed

I would like to thank Kirsty Jenkinson (and many other mums and dads) for their hard work, time and dedication in supporting the Parent Teachers and Friends Association. The PTFA has raised valuable funds for the school which have bought bonus equipment and items which ensure the children have an even better experience at the school. This has included the climbing castle next to the entrance, new books and furniture for the library, a new surface for the Multi Use Games Area (cage) as well as paying towards a Christmas treat for the children, supplementing school visits and school rugby shirts.
I would also like to thank Deborah Millar who been the treasurer for two years, giving her time and expertise following two years as PTFA secretary. We really appreciate all that she has done in her roles.
The PTFA is more than just raising money – it is about building a school community where families from across the school can get to know one another, staff members old and new spending some ‘social time’ with one another and the families within our community. Therefore, I see the PTFA as an integral part of the school and the future development. Many schools have lost their PTAs due to lack of support and instead they have requested that parents contribute to a school fund to help raise additional funds. However, this would totally miss the point of what we are committed to – working together at the heart of the community to transform lives.

After five years, Kirsty (and Deborah) wishes to stand down and I would ask that you would seriously consider if you would be able to take over the reins. Kirsty has agreed to work in partnership with a new chair for the year – which would enable you to learn from her experience. Or perhaps you could become the new treasurer? Have a think about it but do come along to our AGM on Thursday 18th October.

Non-stop summer at Woodmansterne

A busy summer at Woodmansterne on PhotoPeach

To bulge or not to bulge... that was the question

You may have been aware that over the last few years, London has been facing a shortfall of school places for children, particularly in the primary sector.  Over the last three years, many Lambeth schools have been asked to accept additional children to help deal with the shortfall e.g. accepting 60 children into Reception rather than 30.  


Just before the half term holidays, we were asked by Lambeth Admissions Team to consider expanding our school to accommodate an additional 30 Reception children in September 2012.  This would mean that we would accept 90 children into Reception rather than 60.  A new temporary building would be placed on the KS2 playground next to the staffroom and the current Reception outdoor area expanded to create a new Reception space.  


We had an emergency governors meeting on Friday 1st June to discuss the proposals.  Some of the questions and answers we had are listed below


• Will this just be a one year bulge or will it be a permanent expansion?
At this stage, we are only committing to a one year bulge however, in Autumn 2012, there will be a consultation process about the possibility of Woodmansterne Primary permanently expanding to a three form entry school.  
There are a number of difficulties with a one year bulge moving through the school but this will be reviewed annually.  The Governing Body considered the impact this would have on the rest of the children in the school.  Further questions were raised about the year on year management of a bulge.


• Will it be ‘all too much’ for the children… who may already be finding it a challenge starting school?
The governors and staff of the school have already identified that children entering Reception (or any class for that matter) may find it quite stressful – moving from for example a small nursery to a large school.  The school is working very hard to ensure that the transition for the children is as smooth and stress free as possible.


• I did not get my first choice of coming to Woodmansterne.  Does this mean that I will now be offered a place?
Yes it may.  The admissions team will now carry out a re-shuffle of school offers.  Any parent who had Woodmansterne as a higher preference choice, but were unsuccessful will be put back into the system and new offers made following standard admissions procedures e.g. Medical Social, Siblings and then distance from the school.  You will be notified by post with a new offer if this is appropriate.


• Who pays for the building, resources and extra staffing?
Lambeth provides additional funding to cover the extra children, new furniture and staffing


• Why were we not considered before?
Lambeth Admissions Team carries out a review annually to consider where school places are most needed.  A variety of financial and other risk assessments are then carried out to determine the feasibility of the process. This year, there has been an increase in the number of Lambeth children in the south of the borough who have not been accommodated with a school place.


Following lengthy discussions it was agreed that we will accommodate the local children who did not get their preference school (Woodmansterne) and other local children who did not have any school place.


I shall be working with Lambeth over the next few weeks to agree and finalise design plans and working with my senior team to consider staffing and other related implications to ensure all children continue to experience a first class education.